National Council of Young Israel Elects New Executive Board

The National Council of Young Israel (NCYI) today announced a series of changes to its organizational structure as Young Israel delegates from across the United States unanimously elected a new executive board last week in accordance with the NCYI Constitution.

For the past 100 years, the National Council of Young Israel has ably served the broader Jewish community. With more than 25,000 member families, and over 150 branch synagogues, the NCYI is a central agency, which provides religious, educational, social, and communal programming for all its member synagogues and their affiliated families.

Last week’s elections went ahead as planned, despite a number of logistical challenges in the aftermath of Sandy. Faced with the closure of its New York offices due to damage from the storm and power outages that affected a large part of the New York metropolitan area, the NCYI professional staff used generators and a great deal of resourcefulness to ensure that the elections proceeded on schedule, with the maximum amount of participation from delegates around the country as possible. A system was set up whereby delegates were able to participate in the meeting via a conference call and the Internet.

Assuming the presidency of the National Council of Young Israel will be Farley Weiss, Esq. of the Young Israel of Phoenix, AZ. Weiss most recently served as the 1st Vice President of the National Council of Young Israel and is a founder and current President of the Young Israel of Phoenix. An experienced attorney who specializes in trademark and copyright law, Weiss is President of the law firm of Weiss & Moy, P.C. an intellectual property law firm with its main office in Scottsdale, Arizona that was established over 30 years ago. Farley is married to Jessica Weiss, a prominent immigration attorney, and they are the proud parents of six children.

Farley Weiss, who has written numerous articles on important Jewish issues including those that have appeared in the local, national and international press, has spent many years working with United States Senators and Members of Congress to help shape pro-Israel policy.

Several years ago, Weiss assisted Israeli Minister of Infrastructure Uzi Landau to help win the Likud Referendum to oppose disengagement, although unfortunately the referendum results were ignored and the disengagement still occurred. Weiss has also been active in supporting efforts to obtain the release of Jonathan Pollard, an issue that has been, and will continue to be important to the National Council of Young Israel.

Weiss will take over the reins from outgoing NCYI president Eli Dworetsky, a New York-based CPA whose family has multi-generational involvement with the Young Israel movement.

Robert Levi, an active member of the Young Israel Shomrei Emunah of Greater Washington, MD, who has served in numerous religious, educational, and communal leadership roles, was elected Chairman of the Board, and will take over that position from Sheldon Schreiner of Plainview, New York.

Bob Levi spent many years working on Capitol Hill, where he served as Legislative Director for two different House Subcommittees, as well as Legislative Director for Congressman Gary Ackerman of New York. For the past 13 1/2 years, Levi has served as the Director of Government Relations for the National Association of Postmasters of the United States.

“The National Council of Young Israel has been at the forefront of reviving Orthodox Judaism in America, at the forefront of the movement for Soviet Jewry, and at the forefront of supporting Israel at this difficult time,” said newly elected NCYI President Farley Weiss. “It is truly an extraordinary honor to be named President of such an illustrious organization.”

Weiss cited the devastation caused by the recent storm as one of the most pressing and immediate concerns that the organization faces.

“Our shuls and communities have been ravaged by Sandy and our most urgent concern at this time is to assist them in any way that we can,” Weiss said. “The National Council of Young Israel has raised, and will continue to raise, significant funds for these shuls and communities and we are looking at other ways to assist them as well.”

Weiss noted that as the first president of the NCYI that does not hail from the New York metropolitan area, he brings a unique perspective to the job that he hopes will enable the organization to continue moving forward in a positive direction.

“The National Council of Young Israel is a national organization with talented Board Members from across the country and includes many of the most prominent Orthodox shuls in America,” said Weiss. “I happen to be the first President that is not from the New York/New Jersey area, which will provide the organization with a different perspective. Further, as someone with extensive experience being President of a Young Israel shul, I believe that will help immensely with my understanding of the various challenges that different Young Israel’s are facing.”

Weiss also praised his newly elected Executive Board and spoke about his plans for the future of the NCYI.

“In addition to my new role as President, we are extremely fortunate to have a talented group of impressive top officers that include our Chairman of the Board Robert Levi from Silver Spring Maryland, our 2nd VP David Katz from Memphis, and our 1st Vice President Yosef Poplack from New York, who has already shown keen insight and leadership within the organization,” said Weiss. “The new board members will have a lot of input on the direction of the organization as we believe the more people feel their voice makes a difference in the organization the more people will assist with the organization.”

In addition, Weiss expressed his gratitude to outgoing NCYI President Eli Dworetsky for his efforts to usher the National Council of Young Israel into a new era after the organization celebrated its 100th Anniversary last year.

“We all owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to Eli Dworetsky for his tireless efforts on behalf of the National Council of Young Israel,” said Weiss. “It was Eli’s leadership over the past year that enabled the National Council of Young Israel to successfully navigate through various issues that arose to the cohesive election of the new board and to further strengthen our relationships with our branch synagogues.”

“I look forward to working with Farley, the entire Board, our constituent congregations, and the Young Israel’s dedicated staff members, as we confront the many challenges that our membership and our brethren will inevitably confront,” said newly elected Chairman of the Board Robert Levi. “Our pulling together to aid those devastated by Sandy aptly demonstrates how the Young Israel movement can and will meet these challenges, both in this country and in Medinat Yisrael. It will be crucial that we continue to engage our individual members and encourage them to become increasingly invested in the Young Israel movement.”

“With a new Executive Board and our talented professional staff led by Associate Executive Director and Senior Director of Branch Services Rabbi Bini Maryles and Chief Operating Officer Chaim Leibag, the National Council of Young Israel is well positioned to build on its past success as an organization,” said 1st Vice President Yosef Poplack. “We look forward to continue focusing on our branch synagogues and maintaining and enhancing the vibrancy of our synagogues across the United States and Israel.”

The following is a complete list of the newly elected Executive Board of the National Council of Young Israel: